Simpson’s scare

Seconds into the first moto of the Monster Energy MXGP of the USA there was a major scare for Team Great Britain's hopes of grabbing that elusive Motocross of Nations podium.

British champion Shaun Simpson tumbled in front of the chasing pack and was seen being helped to his

feet after a check of his back and left leg.

The 27 year old Scot was lucky to escape with a haematoma and ‘dead' leg.

We caught up with him later - when he was struggling to walk - to ask what happened, his thoughts on still finishing fourth among the factory boys for the year and his expectations for the rest of a short - and important - week...

Shaun Simpson: "I got quite a good start and was probably fourth or fifth into turn one. I was in fourth gear flat-out on a 450.

"As I was tipping in Paulin was on the inside and running me a little bit wide so I thought I'd hang back and tuck up his inside and he more or less had the same idea. We both got on the brakes at the same time and I just tapped his rear wheel.

"It is fully my own move but not really my ‘fault'. I hit the deck and from that point on I was at the mercy of 25 other guys.

"I think it was Tyla [Rattray] that drilled me. He hit me full-on in the back. From that moment my lower back and whole left leg was dead.

"I couldn't really move but after a while the leg eased up and I could get on the bike and back to the medical unit. I had some scans and checks to make sure there wasn't anything more serious.

"Overall it was not a nice way to end the year. I had a perfect season going in terms of points.

"I'd scored in every round and it was something I prided myself on.

"I'm a bit disappointed but getting fourth in the championship tied-up was the main goal this weekend.

"I'm sure with some treatment this week I will be back on the start line next weekend ready to give 100 per cent for Team GB."

SS: "A lot of things. First I was checking whether I was okay and quite quickly I worked out it was not as bad as it seemed.

"After that I was thinking ‘where's Max [Nagl]?'. He had to go 3-3 today if I didn't race at all.

"I knew it would be a tough job for him and he pulled out of both motos anyway which sealed the deal for me.

"Then I thought about the Nations. I had one of these ‘moments' last year unfortunately and rode a few days afterwards and got on fine with it.

"I'm sure I'll be stiff and it will be a long week but I have a few good people around me in Belgium and come Friday at the track with KTM helping us out."

SS: "I couldn't really have said that better myself! That's exactly how it felt.

"The anger/frustration at falling off, check myself out then thinking ‘what's going on?'. It all happens quickly and then drags out when you are off the track. But worse things happen to people every day. I'm still walking and still good to go for next week.

"Seven British championship round wins to-date, fourth in the world championship - you start getting a few pats on the back and when you stop and step back after a little while you realise what you have achieved and what you worked for.

"These are the highs and lows of motocross. From the GP podium last weekend to a DNF this week - that's sometimes how motocross goes.

"Okay, in the MXGP class you see more consistency but look at MX2 and you have Pauls [Jonass] with bike issues and [Tim] Gajser missing a round at Matterley but still winning the championship - motocross is a tough old game but we keep on getting up.

"I mean, Josh Grant was in the medical unit with me the whole time in the break icing his foot and strapping it up and then he goes out and wins the second moto.

"I hate to use the word ‘gnarly' but it is a gnarly sport! That's why we love it and why we hate it."